In a recent development, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa in away conditions. Dhananjaya de Silva will continue to lead the team in the series, which is part of the 2023-25 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
The Test series between Sri Lanka and South Africa will begin on November 27 at Kingsmead. The second match will be played at St. George’s Oval in Port Elizabeth, starting on December 5. Both teams aim to perform well in this series to increase their chances of qualifying for the ICC WTC 2025 finals.
Both teams enter the series with winning momentum. South Africa defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in their series, while Sri Lanka recorded a clean 2-0 win against New Zealand at home. Team Lanka is ranked third in the WTC table with a PCT of 55.56, while South Africa is ranked fifth with a PCT of 54.17.
Sri Lanka Cricket announces squad for Test series against South Africa
On Tuesday, November 19, the SLC unveiled the squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Ten players have already traveled to Durban for a pre-series camp, where training and practice sessions are taking place. The remaining team members will leave for South Africa on November 22.
The selectors have picked a strong batting line-up with players like Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
The team also has versatile players like Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews. For their pace attack, Sri Lanka will rely on Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha and Milan Rathnayake, while Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris will handle the spin duties.
Sri Lanka squad for two-match Test series in South Africa
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, along with bowlers Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya and Kasun Rajitha, traveled to South Africa for the pre-series camp. The remaining team will join after the ongoing home ODI series against New Zealand.
Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha.
Kusal Mendis among four players released for third ODI vs New Zealand
The selectors have released Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando from the ODI squad for the final match. Fernando, Lahiru Udara and Eshan Malinga have been added as substitutes. The final ODI of the series will take place on November 19 at PICS, Pallekele.
Sri Lanka secured the ODI series victory against New Zealand, winning the first match by 45 runs and the second by three wickets. Kusal Mendis scored 143 runs in the first match and an unbeaten 74 runs in the second game. Earlier, the home team also recorded a 2-1 win during the T20I series.
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